Method of and apparatus for packaging of food products



Feb' 4, 1947- c. M. LAMB, JR., ETAL 2,415,292

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING OF FOOD PRODUCTS Filed Feb. 7, 1942 4 Sheets-sheet 2 Feb. 4, 1947. Q M LAMB, JR, ETAL 2,415,292

METHOD oF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING 0F FooD PRODUCTS Filed Feb. '7, 1342 Feb 4, 1 947. c. M. LAMB, JR., ETAL 2,415,292

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAG-TNG OF FOOD PRODUCTS Filed Feb. 7, 1942 4 sheets-sheet 4 ZET/anfora' (ar/es M Ian-25" J/' farad Merrzj hymen/Jr: l/rzcerzf E27/@wood ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 4, 1947 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING OF FOOD PRODUCTS Charles M. Lamb, Jr., and Harold Merrill Wyman, Jr., Flushing, N. Y., and Vincent E. Heywood, Worcester, Mass., assgnors toV United States Envelope Company, Springlield, Mass., a Icorporation of Maine Application February '7, 1942, Serial No. 429,930

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improved method of and apparatus Yfor vpackaging food products in such a manner that several containers may be lled and sealed simultaneously, ready for marketing, with the assurance that the food products in the containers will remain in an airtight, and therefore sterile, condition. While the method and apparatus of the present invention rare particularly adapted for the Vpackaging `and Asealing of food products in a semiplastic condition, such as cheese, the invention is also adapted for use in connection with the packaging of any food product that lends itself to being distributed evenly inside a preformed container of flexible, .or at least foldable, materia, t

Briefly stated, the invention resides in assembling a number of identical .containers in a `predetermined group rel-ation, with `the material of the containers being initially preformed, so as to be in an open condition suitable for receiving the food .product which it is desired to package. Preforrned and .openrrnouthed containers are then Vadvanced step by step as. groups, for the reception of the food product, followed by the automatic performance of successive operations on the extended walls of the containers, which result in folding the walls into overlying relation, followed by azsealing operation on `overlying layers of the container material. Each group of sealed containers then emerges from the machine, ready for display and marketing, without having beensubjected toany handling,A such as might possibly result in contamination of :the food product within the containers. l

The `above and other advantageous features .of the invention will hereinafter more fully appear from the following description considered in `connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: V

Fig. l is a viewV in perspective of .a number .0f flat containers involved in the practice o f .our invention, arranged `in stack form,

Fig. v2 is a view in perspective. Villostratins the pre-forming `of such containers, preparatory to their assembly for loading and sealing.

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective, and partially in section, showing an assembly or car-ton of package-'holders for receiving the preformedcontainers showninFigZ.

Fig. 4 isla View in perspective of a group of preformed containers arranged their ,group holders, preparatory to being placed on the assembly line of our improved machine. Fig- 5 .is a .persocctivevlew ,a `carton conf taining completely loaded and sealedcontainers intheir holders as 4delivered from the end ofthe assembly `line ofthe machine.

Fig. 6 is a view, partially in section and parftially in side elevation, of a mechanism for carrying out the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the mechanism `shown in Fig. 6.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are fragmentary viewsgillustrat-ing successive steps in the operation of a portion of the folding mechanism shown in Fig. 6.

Figs, 1l, l2 and`13 `are fragmentary viewsjil'- lustre-ting the functioning of the remainder of the Vf olding mechanism.

Figs. "11a, 12o and. 13a are sectional views along the lines Ila, lila and 13a, respectively, `of Figs. 11, 12 and 13. i

Referring to `the drawingsthere is shown in Fig. 1 a stack of `flat containerssuitable for the packaging of food products in accordance with the present invention. For purposes of illustration, these containers are shown as being `of the type having parallel walls joined `by edge seams,

with the longer side of the container being open.

These containers -I are produced from thin, flexible, `moisture-proof, transparent material, preferably having thecharacteristics yof being rendered cohesive through the `applllcation of heat, such, for exam-ple, as the material known commercially as Pliolm (rubber hydrochloride in thin sheet form). As will hereinafterappear, there are other thin liexible moisture-proof and transparent materials having the desired proporties for the packaging of food products, such as cellophane and the like, some of these materials having heat-sealing qualities, while others require the use of adhesives or solvents, to obtain cohesion between overlying' layers. y

In preparation for carrying out the method of the present invention, the containersfl "are re'- moved individually from the stack of Fig. 1, and are each preformed Vas shown in Fig. 2, into an open-mouthed expanded condition, wherein the container is of generally wedge shape form,` One convenient way ofso preforming each container l` is by the insertion of a wedge shaped block 2, either manually or by mechanicalmeans. It is obvious from a consideration of Fig, 2, that entry of the block 2 .between the walls of acontainer l, will convert these wallsnto a generally wedgeshapedform, having a substantially.rectangular perimeter indicated at 3. l

With the `container so extended, it is to be noted that its edge seams @a extend in parallel relation substantially midway -pof the parallel provides a plurality of folding arms I5 mounted onl a shaftY I6 extending across the machine between suitable side frames I1. The several arms I5 are adapted to be turned in unison with the shaft I6, by means of an arm I8 vmounted on oneend of the shaft I6 beyond a frame member I1. The arm I8 is pivotally connected to a link I i9 terminating in a fork 26 embracing a drive for purposes of convenience in assembly and subsequent handling after loading, seated in an open box or carton 8, one end of which is cut away and shown in section. Each holder 1, prior to receiving the preformed containers, is provided with a diagonal partition 3, which fits snugly into the holder and divides it into two wedge shaped compartments I 0 and I lla. Therefore, when a series'of preformed containers l are inserted in a series of open holders 1 and the blocks 2 removed, the assembled open-mouthed containers appear as shown in Fig.V 4. Thefcarton 8 carrying a group of assembled holders 1 andpreformed containers I, is then ready for placing on the assembly line of the loading, folding and sealing mechanism,A which will next be described -with reference to Figs. 6 to 13 inclusive.

Referring to Fig. 6, this mechanism consists of a conveyor I I, driven in any suitable manner with an intermittent motion, in the direction ofthe arrow.- The conveyorprovides suitable dogs I2, arranged at regular intervals, with a spacing greater than the width of acarton 8 containing a groupfoffrholders 1 and preformed containers I. After being placed on the conveyor, each group of open-mouthed containers carried bya carton `8, `is brought to a station A, at which each container is loaded with a food product I3, such as cream cheese, by any suitable means such as a. tube I4, which extrudes the product into -that portion of the container which is supported by the walls of the upper chamber Ill of each holder 1.' It will be noted'that after loading the food product I3 within a container I, the surface of the food will be irregular, as indicated. Obviously,rfood products of a granular charactercan asreadily be poured into the open containers, so as to f'lll them substantially to the top of the carton wall, as shown. 1

The conveyor I I is shown as being. of indeterminate length in Fig. 6, and it will be assumed `that the food loading'station A is displaced from a first folding station B a distance corresponding to the spacing between several of the dogs I2.

The purpose of this spacing is to permit complete withdrawal of the tube I4, or other food loading device from within the open mouth of a loaded container, in advance of the arrival of' the loaded container at the first folding station B.

Referring now., to Figs. 8, 9 and 10, there is shown'the various operations that are performed on each loaded container, following the arrival of a group of containers at the loading station A. ,6,5

That is tosay, beginning with Fig. 8, the various stages of folding the ldivergent walls 5 and 6 of a, givenV container are shown in sequence, with Figs. 9 and 10 showing stages subsequent to Fig. 8, and Fig. `6 showing completion of the first fold` ing operation. Figs. 11', 12 and 13 show various stages of folding in the parallel walls 4 in which the seams` 4a are located as a group of containe'rs are moved from the rst folding station B to a second and third folding stations Cand D. As best shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the machine shaft 2l, and a cam 22 is adapted to impart a Y reciprocatory movement to the link i9. The oscillatory movement thus imparted to the shaft i6, causes the folding arms I 5l to move between the extreme positions shown in Figs. 6 and 8, once for each complete revolution of the drive shaft 2 I.

The folding arms I5 are in the fully raised position of Fig. 8,-when movement of the conveyorV IIl positions a series of holders 1 and openmouthed containers I beneath the arms. In this position, a folder 23 freely supported on a pivot '24 at the lower end of each arm overhangs the trailing wall 5 of each container. The lower end of each folder 23 is Weighted at 23a, so as to bias the folder 23 in the position' shown'in Fig.' 8, with a tail portion 25 in engagement with a flat surface 26 on the` arm.

The cam 22` on the shaft 2| 'is so timed that as the conveyor II comes to rest in the position of Fig. 8, the arms I5 start to move downwardly through turning of the shaft I6 in the direction of the arrow. As this occurs, the folders 23 simultaneously engage the walls'5 of a'series of containers 1 and start to fold the walls over, 'as indicated in Fig. 9. This initial folding of each container is confined entirely to the wall 5, since asv previously pointed out, the parallel side walls 4 of the`container are to some extent stiffened by the presence of the seams 4a. Thethin fiexible material of thewall 5 offers but little resistance as it yields, and since the weighted portion 23a. overcomes this slight resistance, there is' no tendency to turn a folder about its pivot 24. The tail portion 25, therefore, remains in engagement with the surface 26 ofthe arm, as the wall folding progresses, see Fig. 9. f

By the time the arm I5 has nearly reached the end of its downward swing, the wall 5'hasbent inwardly to the extent that the weighted end of the folderl 23 engages/the upper edge of the holder wall 1a. Since by this tirnethefolder pivot A24 Vhas swung inside the edge of the carton wall, continuedl turning movement .of the shaft 2lY causes each folder 23 to turn into the position of Fig-l0, wherein the tail 25 has left the surface 26, due to turning of the Afolder about a new fulcrum provided by the holders edge.l By the time the arm I5 has reached its lowerr'nost position, the folder 23 has assumed the horizontal position shown in Fig. 6, wherein thewall 5 has been com# pletely folded down and the surface of the food has been attenedout from its original irregular form.

As the folders 23 completeY their folding down of the several container walls 5, a, series of-fclding plates 21 simultaneously engage the forwardly inf clined walls 6 of the containers to impart Van initial folding of these walls 6 in the direction of the then completely folded-down walls 5. As best shown in Figs. Gand 1, theY plates 21 are carried by spaced brackets 28 extending downwardly from 't a cross bar 29; The bar 29 is connectedfat its ends to parallel slides 36, movable onsthe frames |11-,

and each. slide 3U carries a roll 3| bearingon la cam 32 mounted on thedrive shaft 2'-I. The cams 32 arein 'the'fform of eccentrics, and each com- Y 4folders `23 move downwardly to fold. over the several `Walls 5, the plates 21 remain stationary. However, as the folders 23 substantially reach the extreme lowermost position of Fig. 6, the cams 32 shift the cross bar 29, and with it, the plates 21 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 6. This has the effect -of imparting an initial fold to each wall 6 in. the direction of the then completely foldeddown wall 5, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 6.

From a` consideration of fFig. 7, it is apparent that the folding plates 21extend beneath the shaft I6, so as to overlie the tops of a series of holders 1 that are in position L1-,the second folding station C, with each plate 2-1 being entirely clear of the'upstanding side walls 4. Therefore, when a seriesY of containers having their walls 5 completely folded down, ras previously described, are shifted from station B to station C on the next step of the conveyor, theplates 21 complete folding down of the vwalls 6 into overlying relation with the walls 5.

It is to be noted that the folding plates 21 are each tapered rearwardly from the station C, and thatthe tapered plate portions21a t between reversely tapered portions 33a of a series of fixed folding plates 33. These folding plates 33 are mounted at the ends of a series of studs 34 extending downwardly from a pair of cross frame members 35 extending between `and secured to the longitudinal frame members-I1. The plates 33 lie in the same plane as the plates 21, and the cooperation between-the interlocking plate surfaces is such as to fold in the upstandi'ng side walls 4 of the containers as a series of holders 1 is moved by successive stages from the third folding stationD to a sealingr station E.

As best shown in Fig. 7, the pointed ends o'f the stationary plate portions `33d. extend forwardly toward the folding station C, so that thesepointed ends overlie theleading'edges of a seriesof holders 1 as the latter come to rest at the station C. The forward edges of the several holders are shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7, from which it is evident that the points of the -plates l33 are adapted to enter between the upstanding side walls 4 of adjacent containers, Yas shown in Fig. l1. As a result-of the entrance of the plate `points between the upstanding container walls 4 when the conveyor. comes to rest-with a carton 8 positioned at station C, the `upstanding side walls 4 of adjacent containers, are-definitely separated, preparatory to folding over of these walls when a seriesof containers resumes its travel on the conveyor.. In Fig. 12 there is shown, partially in elevation and partially in section, a series of containers after they have left folding station C, `In this position, the decreasing widths-of the tail portions `21a of plates 21 is still suicient to hold down the previously folded `walls 5, and 5, while the increasing vwidths of the plate portions-33a has caused folding over, in opposite directions, of the side walls 4` of the containers. By the time the conveyor has moved a series of containers to the position of Fig. 13, the folded-over side walls 4 have been forced into overlying Vrelation with the previously flattened end walls Stand 6 by the parallel portions of the `plates 33, it being evident that the side walls 5 and 6 are then completely clear of the tapered portions 21a of the 4plates2.1. It is vevident from a further consideration of Fig, V-7 that beyondthe third foldingstation D, the several folding plates'33 extend beneath the drive shaft 2|, in the direction of movement of the conveyor H, adista-nce several times the displacement between adjacent sets of dogs I2 which convey the loaded cartons 8. Therefore, bythe time a loaded `carton 8 reaches the sealing station E, the folded over container lwalls 4, 5` and fli have been pressed out at upon thecontents of each loaded container. Such a loaded carton is shown in perspective in Fig. 5. I

As a loaded carton 8 comes `to rest at the sealing station E, ii-,lwill be noted from Fig; 6` that the extremitiesof the plates-3.3 overli'e the rearedges of a group of holders 1 just enough. to rmlyhold down the last folded container side wallsf', so that there is no possibility of these walls' springing up as the leading portions of the containers `clear the plates 33. It will also-be noted thatthe overlying foldeddown wallV portions 4, 5 and6 are entirelygexposed beyond the, extremities of 4 the plates 33, so that the folds may be engaged by a group of sealing elements 36 supported for up and down movement -beyond the ends of .the

frame members I 1. The function of these sealing elements is to engage the folded-over walls` of each container and to cause the overlying surfaces of these walls to adhere to each other as a Y result of the application of heat,` assuming` that the containers are composed ofheat-sealing material as previously described.`

` As best-shown in Fig. 7, the several sealingelements 36 are carried between the cross members 31 of a frame that is carried at the endsof pairs of parallel-arms 38, adapted to turn about spaced pivots 39 at the ends of themain frame members l1. That is to say, the several sealing elements 36 `are adapted to move as a group to simultaneously engage folded Adown walls `4y v5 and :6 -of the several container-stm a carton 8 in response to downward;movemenfJ of the supporting frame.

Referring again to Fig. 6,-each sealing element 36 is -slidably mounted between the side frames 31, and a stud 46 on t each. `element extends through `an opening in a top `plate 4I of `the frame. Each` stud 40 Vcarries a collar l42 through which extends a pin 43 transversely of the heating element frame. The ends of each pin=431 are connected by springs 44 to'xed pins 45, `sonthat these springs 44 tend to yieldingly maintain each sealing element '36 .somewhat extended beyond the frame members 31 when the frame is raised to permit the positioning of a loaded carton at the sealing station E. Obviously, when the frame `earryingthe heatedse'aling elements 36 is swung downwardly by turning of the arms 38, the lower ends of the elements 36 engage the folded-over `walls with. alyelding pressure, which pressure` is sustained followinginitial contact-,due to retraction of the elements within the .frame kas the latter reaches its lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 6. The net result is maintenance of contact with the container tops for an appreciable period sufficient to insure a welding or fusion between the overlying layers of the folded-down container walls 4, 5 and 6. I l

Therefore,` when.` the Vframe carryiner the 'seal'- ing elements is raised to the dotted line position of the arms 38, Fig. 6, .the several. containers;` in each carton 8 have been completely sealed in" 'a sterile manner, so 'as-to make each container air- 7 tightthroughoutland'insure that the food'product within the container will be maintained ina sterile condition. It has been-foundthat when a 'food product, such as cheese, is thus sealed Within .-the containers, it Will keep in a palatable condi- '.tion for an indefinite period.

As previously pointed out, the carton 8 containing a group of loaded and sealed' containers, Vappears as shown in Fig. 5, when further movev.ment of the conveyor delivers the car-tonbeyond the sealing station E. The carton is then'reversed with respect to the loaded containers, 'thereby presenting a fresh series of .open chambers` l0a in each ofthe holders 1. Flat containers I are then preformed by the use of the blocksv -2, as'. previously.' described," followed by .insertion in fthe. chambers |0a',"whereupon.the reversed carton :appears vas in Fig. 4, with the then'lowerchanfbers completely loaded. l y f All the previously described steps of the 'method are againlperformed on the' fresh series of' pre- .formed containers, so that eachV carton is finally delivered by' the conveyor, with two series' of loaded' and sealed containers accessible from cl3- vposit'e sides of the carton. A completely loaded `Vcarton is thus ready for handling andlmarketing, and obviously, the separate holders l `serve to 'maintain the individually loaded containersfin f'good condition, until all the containers have'been sold. v

From theforegoing, it is apparent that-by the present invention there is provided an improved "method" of and apparatus for the packagingofV food products, characterized by the assembly of identical preformed containers in a predetermined'group relation and in open condition for convenient loading with the food products.v In -carrying'out the method, the groups of preformed and open-mouthed containers are advanced stepby-step for the reception of the food product,rfol 'lowed by' the simultaneous performance of successive operations on the adjacent extended Walls of the several containers of each group, 4which operations result in folding the walls into overlying relation, and subsequent, sealing ofvover- 'lying layers of the container Walls. Thel resulting loaded and sealed containers 4are therefore 'adapted to maintain the food product in the same fsterile, conditionas at'the time of loading, since theV folding and lsealing operations are performed entirely automatically, andwithout handling the containers.

-We claim l j l. A method of packaging food products characterized bythe assembly of identical preformedV open-mouthy containers in .group `relation for `loading, with said containers having adjacent extended" Walls, and then conveying groups .of loaded-containers tosuccessive stations for'the simultaneous lperformance of different foldingV foperations `on' the'adjacen't extendedfwallsI of the several containersin each groupl at the d ifjferent stations,` with one folding 'operation .being performed on one groupof containers at one station, While. a different folding operation is being performed on another group of containersl at another station. I Y

2. A method` of packaging food products characterized bythe assembly of identical preformed open-mouth containers in'f'group lrelation for loading, with afood product," said containers having 'adjacent extended walls'and then conveyingpeach group of loadedf' containers 1to1 suc' cessive'. .stations 4for the 'simultaneous' performance of different folding operations on' the adjacent extended walls ofthe severalV containers 'in each "group and the closing in and'sealing' of overlying layers of the folded walls over the food product therein, with the separate folding, closing in and sealing operations being performed simultaneously on containers in separategroups.

3. A method of packaging food products characterized by the assembly of identical preformed vopen-mouth containers in group relation for loading, with said containers having adjacent extended walls, and then lcon'veying several groups of Vloaded containers to lsuccessivestations for the simultaneous performance of 'folding :operationson the adjacentextended'walls of theseveral containers in 'each'i group at"one station andthe closing inof the folded walls of "another containerl'group'at ai differentV station, "with the folding operation on one'group 'of 'oontainers Vbeing 'performed While closing' inthe folded walls on anotherVv group of `containers.

4. A method of packaging food products, char'- acterizedl by the assembly of 'identical preformed open-mouthed' containersy in group 'relationjfor loadingy with the several containers of a gro'up providing upstanding Walls' in 'slide-byfside'frelatlon,"and th'en conveying'the loaded containers as a group, for the separationl ofwalls of ad- :ja'cent' containers coincident 'v'vithjt'hev folding 4dovvr' of the Walls of each container into over'- lyingrelation, with further conveyance' of a'fgroup of containers With folded downwalls serving to present' such Walls 'in position for sealingethe -overlying' layers with the separation andffoldingo'f the Walls of `one group of 'containers 'being performed simultaneously' with the sealing of the folded walls of another group of contain,-

6. Apparatus 'for the packagingof food 'incon ytainers, comprising in combination, a conveyor for supporting, at regular intervals, artons'each containing a'group' of loaded containers provid,- ing upstanding Wallsin sideebysidel relation, folding stations spaced along said conveyor, means for'advanc'ing said conveyor to succes# sively present eachcarton with` its group ofy'con'- tainers at separatestations, Vmeans at one station for folding 'divergent Walls of 'adjacent'conl tainerslinto overlying relation, 'and means vat a second station forA separating the paraneiwalls 'of adjacent" containers lcoincidentallywithvfolding over Asuch Walls, upon "movement of saidcar'- ton to athird stage.

'11 Apparatus for' the packaging of foto in, con;

tainers, comprising in combination, a conveyor for supporting, at regular intervals; cartons each containing 'a group of loaded' containers' providing upstanding Walls in side-by--side` relation', foldingfstations spaced along` said conveyor, nl c'earisV for advancing saidA cpnyeyonto succes svely present each carton withits group. of con'- tainers at'separate stations, 'means'f'at Vone stating upstanding walls in side-by-side relation,V

folding stations spaced along said conveyor, means for advancing said conveyor to successively present each carton with its group of containers at separate stations, means at one station for folding over divergent walls of each container into overlying relation, without alecting the parallel relation between walls of adjacent containers, and folding elements at another station adapted to enter between and to separate the walls of different containers, with said elements serving to fold over said parallel walls into overlying relation coincidentally with further advancement of said carton by said conveyor to a sealing station, and means at said 10 sealing station for sealing overlying layers of the folded-down walls under pressure.

CHARLES M. LAMB, JR. HAROLD MERRILL WYMAN, JR. VINCENT E. HEYWOOD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the o le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,228,603 Berch July 7, 1942 2,350,912 Marshall June 6, 1944 251,281 Pritchard Dec. 20, 1881 2,054,832 Potdevin Sept. .22, 1936 1,054,433 Masse Feb. 25, 1913 1,313,975 Anderson Aug. 26, 1919 1,245,561 Braecklein Nov. 6, 1917 1,916,515 Kraft July 4, 1933 1,958,762 Mirobella May 15, 1934 2,157,054 Gammeter May 2, 1939 2,267,320 Berch Dec. 23, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 4,328 British 1909 451,257 British July 29, 1936 

